Supporter for books, telephones, and the like.



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, No. 895536.v PATBNTBD AUG. u, 1908. s. W. BENSON.

v SUPPORTER POR BOOKS, TELEPHONES, AND THE LIKE.

APFLIGATION FILED 00126, X905.

3 SHEETS-SHEBT 1.

" No. 895,536. PATBNTBD AUG. 11, 19de.

- SUPPOMBR POR Books, TBLPHONES, AND THE Lum. I APPLIGATION r1LEp\ooT,ze, '1905,

3 sums-snm'. s.

,. EETENTED AUG. 11, 190s'.

. S.W.EENSOE.4 EUPPOETEE EOE BOOKS, TELEPHONES, END TEE LIKE.

APPLIOTIOI lLED OGLSG, 1905.

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.SIMON W. BENSON, OF CHICAGO, ILLINOIS.

sUPPoRrER Eon Booxs, TELEPHONES, AND 'rrrrmex`mge-v` v--w Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented. Aug. 11, 1908.

Application filed October 26, 1905. Serial No. 284,437.

My invention relates to that class of devices employed for holding a book, copy holder, telephone, or other article, in position where it may be out of the way when not in use but readily and conveniently accessible -and in the most desirable position when required for use.

The object of my invention is to produce a strong, durable, and convenient device of the kind described with the parts so formed and arranged as to require the minimum amount of adjustment or care.

To this end my improvement consists in the novel construction, arrangement, and combination of parts, herein shown and described and more particularly pointed out in the claims.

In the accompanying drawings wherein like or similar reference characters indicate like or corresponding parts; Figure 1 is an elevation of an adjustable form of my device l attached to the end of a desk and supporting a telephone and a book. F ig. 2 is` a section taken substantially on line 2 2 of Fie'. 3. Fig. 3 is an end elevation of a clamp an associated parts for engaging a book. Fig. 4

is a slightly modified form of my device.

Fig. 5 is a detail of a telescoping rod which may be employed in my device. Fig. 6 is an enlarged end elevation of the book clamp showing the parts in osition when the book is open. Figs. 7 an S are enlarged details showing modified forms of construction. Figs. 9 and 1l) are enlarged details of the adjustable arm clamp preferably employed. Fig. 11 is an elevation of a non-adjustable book holder as applied to a wallwith the book not in use. Fig. 12 is a view similar to Fig. 11 but showing the book open as in use. Fig. 13 is a section taken substantially on line 13-13 of Fig. 11. Fig. 1-1 is a detail showing a modified form of swivel.

In the form of my device shown in the drawings, an upright '1 is rotatably sup ported by a bracket 2 which may be attached to anv suitable object as a desk, ta-

ble, partition or wall. Any desired number of arms 3-1 for directly sup )orting various objects mav be attached to the upright 1 in any desired manner. Y

As shownv in Fig. 1 the arm 3 is provided with a book holder and is attached to the upright 1 by means of a friction joint 5 which permits the arm 3 to be adjusted vertically t0 l any desired angle or inclination. The joint 5 is also freely rotatable and vertically adjustable upon the upright 1.

The book holder may be of any suitable form or construction, as shown a spring clamp 6 is provided to grasp 'the back of the book and is preferably of sullicient length to extend slightly beyond the covers of the book at each end to protect the same. This clam may be formed of a single piece of suita ly formed material as shown in Fig. 7, with any desired number of swivels 8 provided with screws 10-10 for drawing the 'aws of the clamp together to engage the ook or other object to be supported; or as vshown in Figs. 6 and 8, the clamp 6 may be formed of suitably shaped bars 13, 13 and one or more springs or flexible members 14 arranged to connect these bars with the swivels 8 and screws 10 as before described.

The swivels S are preferably positioned near each end of the clamp 6 and are attached thereto by means of the screws 10- which may be arranged to enga e the swivel 8 in any suitable manner. As s iown in Fig. 6 a single threaded opening is provided for receiving the screws 10 whi e in Figs. 7 and 14 this portion of the swivel is shortened and a separate threaded -opening is provided for each screw obviously the latter form provides the greatest range of adjustment but either form may be employed with satisfac` tory results. A tubular sleeve 11 is also provided upon each swivel for rotatably engaging the arm 3 and thus attaching the clamp 6 to the arm.

Means are preferably provided to prevent longitudinal movement of the swivels 8 upon 100 the arm 3 except when the clamp 6 is in its upright position, that is face upward as shown in Fig. 6. One of the sleeves 11 isA preferably so formed that when in this posiclamp 6 will lock the same against rotation upon the arm.

Any desired means may be employed to control the longitudinal position and also to lock the clamp 6 against rotation upon the 310 tion a slight longitudinal movement of the arm 3. Asshown a collar 1'2 is provided upon the arm at one end of one of the sleeves 11 and a pin 14 is provided the opposite end of the other sleeve. A suitable slot 15 is provided in il.; end o the sleeve adjacent the pin so positioned that when the clamp 6 is in the desired position the pin 14 is in position to enter the slot and by a slight longitudinal movement t-he parts are thus positively engaged.

n the form shown, covers 16-16 corres ending in size to the object supported are lnnged to each side of the clamp 6 by means of a plurality of stirrups '10 each loosely mounted upon a screw 10 and a loop 41 for each st-irrup cooperating therewith and se curely attachedv to the covers 1G1 the parts being so formed that `when the holder is in use a art of each of the loops 11 will rest upon tie head of a screw 10 to support theM loops in an extended position so that the covers 16 will lic out flat. as shown in Fig. 6

to support the book in convenient form for use but lwhen the holder is inverted the covers will hang down on each side as in Figs. 1 and 11 and thus protect the object between them.

If desired clasps or equivalent means 17 may be provided upon the covers to hold the same together and thus add to the security of the object between them, and if preferred a book may be thus held in place 'in the holder without engaging the saine between the 'aws of the clamp at all.

The joint 5 may be of any desired form or construction. As shown two concave plates 1S and 19 are provided with means i'or attachment tothe upright 1 and arm 3 respectively. A disk of friction material 20 is shown positioned between the adjacent faces of the plates and a bolt 21 having a suitable nut 24 is provided to serve as an axis for the plates and to control the pressurebetween them. In the form shown the plate 1S is revolubly attached to the upright 1 by the bolt 21 the head '22 of which is of tubular Vform arranged to loosely tit upon the upright 1 and is rigidly attached to the plate 1S. The plate 19 is preferably provided with a c vlindrical portion 23 having openings provided on eac-h side to receive the arm 3 and told the same substantially parallel to the face of the plate, the bolt 21 extending through an opening in the arm to prevent turning or longitudinal movement in the openings.

To prevent a possible alteration in the adjustineiit of the nut 24 by the movements of the plate 19 and also to increase the friction'al resistance of the` joint, a washer 25 is provided between the nut 14 and plate 19 the washer 25 being so arranged that it can not be rotated upon the bolt 21. Any suit- Y able means may be employer for this purpose. As shown the washer .25 is extended and formed so as to engage the upright 1 for this purpose. The vertical position of the joint 5 upon the upright is controlled by a collar 26 provided with a set-screw Z Vor other wellknown means to control its position. i

Inv the form shown a stop or lock is'v pro vided to limit the inclination of the arm 3. This stop consists of a part 31 upon the plate 1S arranged to'engage a projection or similar part 32 upon the plate 19 and thus prevent a further relative plates and associated parts.

The arm 4 in Fig. 1 is shown telescoping to give a wider range of movement to the article supported which in this case is shown as a telephone pivotally attached to the extremity of' the arm by means of a band 2S so that at any inclination of the arm 4 the telephone will remain in a vertical position.

A friction joint 29 is also provided, similar in construction to the joint 5 except that itis shown rigidly mounted upon the upright 1 the concave plate being preferably attached to the upright 1 in this form in the same manner that the concave )late 19 was attached to the arm 3 shown in iig. 10. The arm 4 is extended beyond the joint and provided with a counterbalance `spring 3() to facilitate the operation of the joint especially where the object supported is quite heavy or the arm sup )orting the same of considerable length. In this form also two stops or'loeks are shown arranged to limit the movement of the. arm 4 in both directions the locks being preferably formed the same as the one u )on the joint 5 and'hcretofore described. The arm -1 may be arranged to telescope in any preferred manner. In Fig. 5 a form is shown in which the inner member is provided with a fixed sleeve or collar 33 at its end and the outer or tubular member is split at its end and provided with a clamp 34 having a set-screw 35 or other means to press against one side of the tubular outer member and force the same inward so that it is im ossible to carelessly separate the two inem ers of the arm. If desired also the set-screw 35 may be tight,- eiied sulliciently to clamp the two parts together at any point desired and thus prevent any movement between them.

It desired any suitable means may be provided to prevent rotation between the two portions of the arm 4. As shown a pin or e uivalent means 36 is provided upon the co lar 33 and a groove 37 is formed upon the interior of the tubular part of the arm to engage the pin 36 for this pur ose. Obviously when so arranged if desired) the boel: or paper holder shown attached to the arri 3 may e mounted upon the tubular part of the movement between the be rotated about the upright and adjusted i vertically y means of the collar 26 is obviously an inferior equivalent for the forni shown in Fig. 'l as the inclination of the arm 3 is fixed and can not be. adjusted.

In the form shown in Figs. 11 and 12 the upright and the arm supporting the book holder are formed of a single piece and can therefore have no adjustment. It is however a cheap and convenient forni for mounting directories or other books which are only consulted momentarily and where the accurate adjustment of the book is of comparatively small importance.

` In Figs. 1, 2, 6, 11, and 13 the swivels S are shown so proportioln d that the arni is positioned at e. considerable angle to the clamp G. The object of this arrangement being to hold the book or other paper when not in use as nearly level as possible, and when the holder is turned to bring the book in position for use, to secure as great an inclination as possi- Vble without altering the adjustment of the arm su )porting the book.

By tlie terni u iriglit as referring to the book or paper holder or clamp I desire to be understood as meaning the position of the holder as shown in Figs. 6 and 12 in which the holder is so positioned that a book or papels supported therein in a be opened and conveniently examined wit i their leaves extended.

Obviously various immaterial modifications may be made in my improvement without departing from the spirit ot' my invention, hence I do not wish to be understood as limiting in yself to the exact forni land construction s iown. Y

'hat I claim as new, and desire to secure by Letteis Patent is 1. In a device of the kind described, an

varm; a holder loosely and rotatably mounted upon .said arm, and means for automatically locking-said holder to said arni to prevent its rotation when the holder is in its upright position.

2. In a device of the kind described, a rotatable arm, a holder loosely and rotatably mounted upon and positioned at an angle to said arm, and means operable only when said holder is in its upright position for locking said holder to said arm .to prevent it's rotation.

3. In a device of the kind described, an arm, and a holder comprising a clamp, a plurality of swivels rotatably mounted upon said arm, and adjustable means for attaching said swivels to said clamp and for controlling the distance between the jaws of said clamp.

4. In a device of the'kind described, an arm, a plurality of swivels rotatably mounted upon said arm, a. clamp inclosing said swivels, means for controlling the distance between the jaws of said clam`- foi' attachinfr the clamp to said swivels, and means for loc ing said clamp against rotation when A in its upright position.

5. In a device of the-kind described, an arm, a plurality of swivels rotatably mount ed upon said arm, a spring clamp iiiclosing said swivels, and screws engaging said swiv els arranged to control the distance between the jaws-of said clamp and attaching the clamp to said swivels.

6. In a device of the kind described, an aini, a plurality oi swivels rotatably mounted upon said arm, a spring clamp inclosiiig said swivels and positioned at an angle to said arm, and means attached to said swivels for controlling the distance between the jaws of said clamp and for attaching the clamp to said swivels. i

7. In a device of the kind described, a stationarv upright, a non-rotatable arm supported by said upright, a holder mounted upon and rotatable about said arm, and means for automatically locking said holder against rotation only when in its upright position.

S. In a device of the kind described, a book holder provided with a clamp for vrigidly engaging a book to support the saine in any position, and covers pivotally attached to each side of said clamp, in combination with an arni ex tending longitudinally of said clamp, means for mounting said'clamp npon said armand locking mechanism to prevent movement between said clain and arm.

9. In a device of the kind described, a.

book holder provided with a clamp .for rigidly engaging a book to support the same nf any position, and covers pivotally attached to each side of said clamp, in combination with an arm extending longitudinally of said clamp, means for rotatabzly mounting said clamp upon said arin, means for supporting said arm, and loc-king mechanism adapted to prevent rotation between said clamp and arni. 4

10. In a device of the kind described, a nonrotatable upright, an arm, a friction joint for connecting said arm and upright and controlling tlie inclination of said arm, said joint being rigidly attached to said arm and rotatably and adjustably attached to said upright, and a holder mounted upon said arm. 11. In a device of the kind described, an upright and an arm, in combination with a friction joint connecting said arm and upright and controlling the. inclination of said arm, means for adjusting the resistance between the parts of said joint and a positive stop upon said joint to limit vcitical movement of the free end of the arm.

1'2. In a device of the kind described, an upright and an arm, in combination with a friction joint controlling the inclination of the arm and connecting said aiin and upright, said joint consisting ofvtwo plates, a

i disk of friction materialipositioned between said plates, means for controlling the pressure e etween said plates, and means for attacliing said plates to said arm and upright respectively. v

13. In a device of the kind described, a bookholder provided with a clamp for rigidly engaging a book to'support the saine in any position covers pivotally attached to eaeh'side of said clamp, and means for supf porting said covers in an extended position when said clamp is in an upright position, in combination with an arm extending longitudinally of said clamp and rotatably connectthe plates, and means for attaching each plate in position.

15. In a device of the kind described, an

arm, a plurality of swivels rotatably mount ed upon said arm, a spring clamp inolosingl consisting of a pin projecting troni said arm and a slot formed in one of said swivels adapted to cooperate with said pin, for locking said clamp against rotation upon said arin.

16. In a device of the Lkind described, a holder comprising a clamp, screws foi' controlling the position of the jaws of said clamp, and a stii'rup attached to each screw, in coinbination with two co\ers, cach provided with loops for engaging said stiriiips to )ivotally support said covers, the part-s eing so formed that said loops will rest upon said screw heads to support said covers in an extended position when said holder is in its upright position. e

In testimony whereof, I have hereunto signed my naine in the presence of two subscribing' witnesses'.

SIMON IV. BENSON.

Vitnesses: BURTON U. HILLS, CHARLES I. COBB. 

